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Sam Worthington asks us all to be grateful

What do a nun, a mother suffering from depression and a Hollywood actor have in common? They all count their blessings and take note on what they are grateful for. Sam Worthington and author Hailey Bartholomew talk about their 'gratefuls'.

Actor Sam Worthington says his life has been changed by a book from a first-time Queensland author that celebrates the small pleasures of life.

Worthington came across Hailey Bartholomew's project, 365 Gratefuls, online and was instantly struck by its beauty and simplicity.

There's this weird email from somebody who says they are an actor called Sam Worthington.

In the book, co-authored with husband Andrew, Bartholomew overcomes her depression by each day photographing and writing about one thing for which she is grateful.

Author Hailey Bartholomew with Sam Worthington who is helping Hailey to promote her book on depression called Gratitude 365. Photo: Steven Siewert

“My life goes into the red quite a lot of times,” says Worthington. “It actually puts into perspective those things that are important and which tend to be the things you lose sight of: the loved ones around you, … the people that are there to help.

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“We all think sometimes that the house is what you are meant to get, the big job is what you are meant to get … but it's not. We are blessed to wake up in the morning.”

Worthington was so impressed by the book that he contacted Bartholomew offering to help her promote it.

The only problem was that Bartholomew hadn't heard of Worthington, best known for his roles in Avatar and Terminator Salvation.

“I didn't know who he was!” she says. “I said to my husband, 'There's this weird email from somebody who says they are an actor called Sam Worthington'.”

Bartholomew was soon set straight and is now harnessing Worthington's star power to publicise her book and help other depression sufferers.

Her own tussle with depression began in 2008.

“I felt like there was not much meaning even though I had two cute kids and a nice husband,” she says. “I just didn't feel much for them. I call it 'blah'. I had no passion or excitement for anything. It was really affecting how I was mothering. It was affecting lots of things.”

The turning point came when Bartholomew sought advice from a nun who told her the secret of happiness was reflection and gratitude. She was given an assignment to write down what she was grateful for at the end of each day.

“I did that and was amazed at the stuff I was noticing so I started a photographic project called 365 Gratefuls,” says Bartholomew.

“It made me see what I had in my life rather than what I was running towards. It also made me be really present to my children and nature and the delight of little things like … ugg boots on a cold morning or a great cup of tea and a good conversation with a friend. It's the sweet stuff of life but when you're in a hurry getting somewhere you don't notice.”

Worthington says he had originally set out to find help for a friend who was depressed, when he came across Bartholomew's book.

“When my mate started trying it he did find the clouds start to go away,” he says.

And now Worthington, who is about to start work on Kidnapping Freddy Heineken with Sir Anthony Hopkins, makes a habit of recording his own “gratefuls” each day.

“Mine are small things,” he says. “It's weird things. You'd find them odd but that's the great thing – a smirk from a friend or a stranger waving. It's the simple things, the odd things that I like.”

365 Gratefuls is published by Penguin. RRP $19.99.

13 comments

Sounds a bit like a subset of cognitive therapy - and as such, it probably works. Heinlein also wrote something along the lines of: take time to enjoy butterflies and rainbows.

Commenter

termite

Location

Sydney

Date and time

October 18, 2013, 5:01PM

So true. Stopping to appreciate the little things. I call that wisdom.

Commenter

Chameleon

Date and time

October 18, 2013, 5:14PM

Good on him and well done her. Much success.

Commenter

Andrew X

Location

Sydney

Date and time

October 18, 2013, 5:21PM

I'd be grateful too (if I was him). Neither a Brad Pitt, nor an Anthony Hopkins and raking in the millions. Good on him of course, but the gratitude seemingly needn't come (solely) from the little things. Always easy to say things like that from the outside looking in; although you'd have to say 'I'd rather be him than an Afghani refugee on an overcrowded boat thats taking on water somewhere off Christmas Island', but we're not supposed to mention them anymore.

Having said all that, being mindful of one's blessings is very important in the quest for some kind of sustainable joy in life. Watching one of Sam's movies on the other hand might lead to...

Commenter

esmax

Location

stanmore

Date and time

October 18, 2013, 6:13PM

Hands up who else just loved reading a story that is both genuine and replete with generosity?

Commenter

no_subject

Location

Date and time

October 18, 2013, 6:22PM

She'd never heard of Sam Worthington! Must never watch the news, or read the paper, or see a bus advert....or go to the cinema, or get out...no wonder she was depressed.

Commenter

37Bodie

Location

Date and time

October 18, 2013, 6:37PM

It could be post natal depression as my ex-wife had suffered from that for the last 36 yrs without realising it ...its a serious problem!!that no one pays attention to !!?!!

Commenter

AA

Location

canberra

Date and time

October 18, 2013, 8:36PM

Good one. I saw Sam W and his companion being aggressively photographed in Avalon the other day; their relaxed privacy rudely invaded. He remained assertively friendly. Give the guy a break. We'll done for this.

Commenter

Ant

Date and time

October 18, 2013, 9:43PM

Beautiful story. In itself a "grateful". Number 366.

Commenter

thethar

Date and time

October 18, 2013, 11:24PM

He's the most wooden, boring actor of all time. I'm amazed he even reads. Maybe now he'll appreciate what a lucky git he was landing Avarar. Cheers literature.